IllustrationVIBRATION/SHUDDER/GRINDING BETWEEN 20-50 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME FOR THE PAST 5 MOTHS WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A DEAD STOP.
2001 Acura Mdx
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Mdx years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Mdx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mdx years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1425–50K
2650–75K
3775–100K
52100–150K
35150K+
170 reports with mileage · 54 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 131 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
224 reportsTHE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLY LOCKED UP AND VERED INTO THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC
THE GOODYEAR VIVA 3 SET OF TIRES INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR HAVE LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THEM AND I HAVE HAD SIX FLATS ONCE I HAD 3 IN ONE DAY.. I AM REGISTERING A COMPLAINT AGAINST GOODYEAR, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VIVA3 NOW, BECAUSE THE LAST (TODAY THE 7TH FLAT CAUSED BY A PIN PRICK SIZE HOLE IN THE OUTER SI…
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THE GOODYEAR VIVA 3 SET OF TIRES INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR HAVE LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THEM AND I HAVE HAD SIX FLATS ONCE I HAD 3 IN ONE DAY.. I AM REGISTERING A COMPLAINT AGAINST GOODYEAR, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VIVA3 NOW, BECAUSE THE LAST (TODAY THE 7TH FLAT CAUSED BY A PIN PRICK SIZE HOLE IN THE OUTER SIDEWALL) TIRES DO NOT GET PIN SIE HOLES IN THE SIDEWALL EXCEPT BY DEFECT. THESE TIRES,ON THEIR WHEEL ARE LIGHTER WEIGHT THAN MY SMALLER SIZE CONVENIENCE SPARE (DONUT). I CAN ALMOST PUSH MY FINGER THROUGH THE RUBBER ON THE SIDEWALL AND PUSHING ON THE TREAD FLATTENS THE TIRE WHEN DEFLATED. THE TREADS ARE SO FAR APART 25 % OF THE TIRES ARE BALD AT INSTALLATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE ENGINE, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, VTM-4, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE ENGINE, MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, VTM-4, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000.
THE SPRINGS DON'T WORK RIGHT, THE 4 WHEEL DON'T WORK AT ALL, THE CAR DON'T GET UP TO SPEED LIKE IT'S SUPPOSE TO. EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A SHARP TURN THE TRANSMISSION STARTS MESSING UP
HAS EVAP FUEL TANK DETECTION
SRS LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE LIGHT IS TRANSMISSION IS MISS FIRING, FUEL TANK HAS A LINK. TRANSMISSION BEEN FIX ON A RECALL BEFORE
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2001 AURA MDX AND WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE W MONTHS AGO LIKE 2 WEEKS AFTER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE D 5 LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE RPM WAS HIGH THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK UP IT DID IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS STILL GOING THE SAME SPEED IT JERK…
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TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2001 AURA MDX AND WHEN I FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE W MONTHS AGO LIKE 2 WEEKS AFTER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE D 5 LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE RPM WAS HIGH THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WENT BACK UP IT DID IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I WAS STILL GOING THE SAME SPEED IT JERKED A LITTLE BIT I PULLED OVER TRIED TO PUT IN PARK BUT IT WAS STUCK SO I PUSHED THE SHIFT UNLOCK AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK THEN EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON NOW A MONTH IN A HALF LATER IT WOULD STALL TO GO WHEN I'M TAKING OFF THE ROADS WERE BLOCKED OFF SO I ATTEMPTED TO DO A U TURN I PULLED IN SOMEONE'S PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO REVERSE OUT AND COULDN'T IT WOULD JUST REV TWO GUYS HELPED ME AND PUSHED IT OUT THANK GOD I HAD MY INFANT WITH ME AND OLDER DAUGHTER I WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD TO MAKE IT BACK HOME BUT THE WHOLE WAY THE CAR WAS REVVING LOUD AND THE RPM WAS HIGH AND WHEN CAME TO. A STOP IT WOULD REV THEN JERK HARD AND GO LUCKILY I DIDN'T CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ON THESE CONSIDERING SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ITA CRAZY AND I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT ACURAS WERE VERY GOOD RUNNING CARS PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE IN OVERALL I LOVE THE ACURA MDX AND WOULD HAVE HOPED IT LASTED ME LONGER I HOPE IT IS ADDRESSED THANK YOU *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VTM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.
A BOLT FELL OUT OF MY RACK IN PINION STEERING. IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE A LOT OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING (JUST BEFORE GETTING ON A HIGHWAY). I STILL HAD SOME STEERING, BUT I HAD TO DRIVE SLOW AND THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NO RELATION TO MY DIRECTION. (I.E. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS AT 90 DEGREES AND I WAS…
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A BOLT FELL OUT OF MY RACK IN PINION STEERING. IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE A LOT OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING (JUST BEFORE GETTING ON A HIGHWAY). I STILL HAD SOME STEERING, BUT I HAD TO DRIVE SLOW AND THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NO RELATION TO MY DIRECTION. (I.E. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS AT 90 DEGREES AND I WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT.) EVENTUALLY, I COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO TURN LEFT. NOTE: I AM REPORTING THIS, BECAUSE ACURA FAILED TO INCLUDE ME IN A RECALL OF A SHOCK, BECAUSE THEY DID A REGIONAL RECALL. I BOUGHT AND DROVE THE CAR FOR 4 YEARS IN CLEVELAND, OH (INCLUDED). BUT I MOVED TO COLORADO (EXCLUDED) AND I WAS NOT COVERED. MY SHOCK BROKE DEC 24TH ON A HIGHWAY AND THE TIRE SHREDED AT 55MPH. ACURA TOOK TONS OF INFO FROM ME, BUT TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY.
Official recalls
420V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
20V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
05V385000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Sep 1, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.
04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Apr 15, 2004
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE05040 · Front Coil Spring Breakage
Opened Jul 14, 2005 · Closed Sep 14, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs; Tires
IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.
Tires
IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.